U.S. patent number 8,191,382 [Application Number 12/252,973] was granted by the patent office on 2012-06-05 for refrigerator having a switching compartment and controlling method for the same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Yeon Woo Cho, Hyoung Keun Lim, Gye Young Song.
United States Patent |
8,191,382 |
Lim , et al. |
June 5, 2012 |
Refrigerator having a switching compartment and controlling method
for the same
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment, a freezing
compartment, and a switching compartment to store food items.
Various elements are provided to maintain the three compartments at
selected target temperatures. A heater and/or a light source may be
provided to rapidly heat the switching compartment when the
switching compartment is being changed from a freezing operation to
a refrigerating operation.
Inventors: |
Lim; Hyoung Keun (Seoul,
KR), Cho; Yeon Woo (Seoul, KR), Song; Gye
Young (Seoul, KR) |
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc. (Seoul,
KR)
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Family
ID: |
40626314 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/252,973 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2008 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20090133432 A1 |
May 28, 2009 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Nov 5, 2007 [KR] |
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10-2007-0112259 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/441 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D
11/022 (20130101); F25D 17/065 (20130101); F25D
27/005 (20130101); D06F 31/00 (20130101); D06F
29/00 (20130101); F25D 2400/02 (20130101); F25D
2317/061 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F25D
11/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;62/441,264,419 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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2034848 |
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2703215 |
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JP |
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Jul 2004 |
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WO |
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Other References
Chinese Office Action dated Aug. 22, 2011 (Application No.
200880024934.1). cited by other .
U.S. Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/122,245 dated Jun.
30, 2011. cited by other .
U.S. Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/122,044 dated Jul.
20, 2011. cited by other .
International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the
International Searching Authority issued in PCT/KR2008/005686 dated
Mar. 22, 2010. cited by other .
European Search Report dated Apr. 1, 2010. (Application No.
09015496.4-2314). cited by other .
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in
Application No. PCT/KR2008/0027252 dated Aug. 5, 2010. cited by
other .
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in PCT/KR
2008/002751 dated Aug. 16, 2010. cited by other .
International Search Report dated Nov. 3, 2010 (Application No.
PCT/KR2008/002725). cited by other .
U.S. Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/122,258 dated Jan.
21, 2011. cited by other .
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23, 2011. cited by other .
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08753521.7-2314). cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Jones; Melvin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: KED & Associates, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A refrigerator, comprising: a housing; a refrigerating
compartment; a freezing compartment; a switching compartment that
can maintain temperatures ranging between a refrigerating
temperature and a freezing temperature; a first evaporator mounted
adjacent the refrigerating compartment, wherein cool air produced
by the first evaporator is blown into the refrigerating compartment
to maintain the refrigerating compartment at a target temperature;
a second evaporator mounted adjacent the freezing compartment and
the switching compartment, wherein cool air produced by the second
evaporator is selectively blown into the freezing and switching
compartments to maintain the freezing and switching compartments at
respective target temperatures; and a light source mounted in the
switching compartment so as to selectively emit light and raise the
temperature of the switching compartment from the freezing
temperature to the refrigerating temperature.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein when the switching
compartment is changed from the freezing temperature to the
refrigerating temperature, the light source remains on, to thereby
heat an interior of the switching compartment, until the switching
compartment is heated to the refrigerating temperature.
3. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a heater located
outside the switching compartment.
4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein heat from the heater and
heat from the light source are simultaneously used to heat the
switching compartment from the freezing temperature to the
refrigerating temperature.
5. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a duct located
between a rear wall of the housing and rear walls of the freezing
and switching compartments, wherein the second evaporator is
mounted in the duct; a switching compartment discharge hole located
in the rear wall of the switching compartment, wherein the
switching compartment discharge hole allows air in the duct to
enter the switching compartment; and a freezing compartment
discharge hole located in the rear wall of the freezing
compartment, wherein the freezing compartment discharge hole allows
air in the duct to enter the freezing compartment.
6. The refrigerator of claim 5, further comprising a switching
damper that selectively opens and closes the switching compartment
discharge hole.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6, further comprising a freezing
damper that selectively opens and closes the freezing compartment
discharge hole.
8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein a heater is mounted in the
duct.
9. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein a duct damper is located in
the duct between the switching compartment discharge hole and the
freezing compartment discharge hole, and wherein the second
evaporator is located in a portion of the duct that includes the
freezing compartment discharge hole.
10. The refrigerator of claim 9, further comprising: a switching
compartment fan located in the duct adjacent the switching
compartment discharge hole, wherein the switching compartment fan
blows air from the duct into the switching compartment; and a
freezing compartment fan located adjacent the freezing compartment
discharge hole, wherein the freezing compartment fan blows air from
the duct into the freezing compartment.
11. The refrigerator of claim 10, further comprising a heater
located in a portion of the duct adjacent the switching compartment
fan.
12. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a switching
compartment duct located between a rear wall of the housing and a
rear wall of the switching compartment; a switching compartment
discharge hole located in the rear wall of the switching
compartment, wherein the switching compartment discharge hole
allows air in the switching compartment duct to enter the switching
compartment; and a switching compartment evaporator mounted in the
switching compartment duct, wherein cool air produced by switching
compartment evaporator is selectively blown into the switching
compartment to maintain the switching compartment at a target
temperature.
13. The refrigerator of claim 12, further comprising a heater
mounted in the switching compartment duct, and wherein air heated
by the heater is blown into the switching compartment to raise the
temperature of the switching compartment from the freezing
temperature to the refrigerating temperature.
14. A method of controlling a refrigerator that includes a
switching compartment that can selectively maintain either a
freezing temperature or a refrigerating temperature, the method
comprising: maintaining the switching compartment at a freezing
temperature; increasing a temperature of the switching compartment
from the freezing temperature to the refrigerating temperature,
wherein the increasing of the temperature comprises operating a
light located within the switching compartment to raise an interior
temperature of the switching compartment and blowing air heated by
a heater located outside the switching compartment into the
switching compartment to raise the temperature of the switching
compartment.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising maintaining the
switching compartment at the refrigerating temperature after the
increasing of the temperature is performed.
16. A refrigerator, comprising: a housing; a refrigerating
compartment; a freezing compartment; a switching compartment that
can maintain temperatures ranging between a refrigerating
temperature and a freezing temperature; a heat source that raises
the temperature of the switching compartment from the freezing
temperature to the refrigerating temperature; a switching
compartment duct between a rear wall of the housing and a rear wall
of the switching compartment; a switching compartment discharge
hole in the rear wall of the switching compartment, wherein air in
the switching compartment duct to enter the switching compartment
via the switching compartment discharge hole; and a switching
compartment evaporator in the switching compartment duct, wherein
cool air produced by the switching compartment evaporator is
selectively blown into the switching compartment to maintain the
switching compartment at a target temperature.
17. The refrigerator of claim 16, further comprising a heater
mounted in the switching compartment duct, and wherein air heated
by the heater is blown into the switching compartment to raise the
temperature of the switching compartment from the freezing
temperature to the refrigerating temperature.
18. The refrigerator of claim 16, further comprising: a first
evaporator adjacent the refrigerating compartment, wherein cool air
produced by the first evaporator is blown into the refrigerating
compartment to maintain the refrigerating compartment at a target
temperature; and a second evaporator adjacent the freezing
compartment and the switching compartment, wherein cool air
produced by the second evaporator is selectively blown into the
freezing and switching compartments to maintain the freezing and
switching compartments at respective target temperatures.
19. The refrigerator of claim 18, further comprising: a duct
located between a rear wall of the housing and rear walls of the
freezing and switching compartments, wherein the second evaporator
is in the duct; a switching compartment discharge hole located in
the rear wall of the switching compartment, wherein air in the duct
to enter the switching compartment via the switching compartment
discharge hole; and a freezing compartment discharge hole located
in the rear wall of the freezing compartment, wherein air in the
duct to enter the freezing compartment via the freezing compartment
discharge hole.
20. The refrigerator of claim 19, wherein a duct damper is located
in the duct between the switching compartment discharge hole and
the freezing compartment discharge hole, and wherein the second
evaporator is located in a portion of the duct that includes the
freezing compartment discharge hole.
21. The refrigerator of claim 20, further comprising: a switching
compartment fan located in the duct adjacent the switching
compartment discharge hole, wherein the switching compartment fan
blows air from the duct into the switching compartment; and a
freezing compartment fan located adjacent the freezing compartment
discharge hole, wherein the freezing compartment fan blows air from
the duct into the freezing compartment.
22. The refrigerator of claim 16, wherein the heat source comprises
a light mounted in the switching compartment.
23. The refrigerator of claim 22, wherein the light is switched on
to heat an interior of the switching compartment when the switching
compartment is changed from the freezing temperature to the
refrigerating temperature, regardless of the open or closed state
of a door of the switching compartment.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a food storage apparatus, and
more particularly, to a refrigerator capable of efficiently
maintaining target temperatures in multiple different food storing
chambers.
2. Background
A representative example of widely used food storage apparatuses is
a refrigerator like the one shown in FIG. 1. Generally, a
refrigerator includes a freezing compartment 20 and a refrigerating
compartment 10. The refrigerating compartment 10 is kept at a
temperature of approximately 3.degree. C. to 4.degree. C., to keep
food and vegetables fresh for a long time. The freezing compartment
20 is kept at a sub-zero temperature, to keep food, meat, etc., in
a frozen state. A refrigerator usually includes at least one
evaporator that supplies cold air into the refrigerating
compartment and the freezing compartment, selectively or
simultaneously.
As will be understood, if the amount of food to be kept in a
chilled state exceeds a predetermined capacity of the refrigerating
compartment, the food cannot be efficiently kept in the chilled
state. Similarly, if the amount of food to be kept in a frozen
state exceeds a predetermined capacity of the freezing compartment,
the food cannot be efficiently kept in the frozen state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the
following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like
elements, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a related art
refrigerator;
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating elements used to produce
cool air of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view illustrating another embodiment of
a refrigerator; and
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view illustrating yet another embodiment
of a refrigerator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The configuration of a first embodiment of a refrigerator will be
described with reference to FIG. 2. The refrigerator according to
the first embodiment includes a body 100, a refrigerating
compartment 120 and a freezing compartment 160 defined separately
in the body 100. A switching compartment 140 is located between the
refrigerating and freezing compartments. The switching compartment
is capable of maintaining different preset temperatures that range
between a refrigerating temperature and a freezing temperature.
The refrigerating compartment 120 is provided at a front surface
thereof with one or more refrigerating compartment doors 128 to
open or close the refrigerating compartment 120. Also, the
refrigerating compartment 120 incorporates shelves 127 to support
contents at multiple levels. A dispenser to discharge certain
contents such as water or ice can be installed at a front surface
of one of the refrigerating compartment doors.
The freezing compartment 160 is provided at a front surface thereof
with a freezing compartment door 168 to open or close the freezing
compartment 160. Also, the switching compartment 140 is provided at
a front surface thereof with a switching compartment door 148 to
open or close the switching compartment 140.
The body 100 has a rear wall 110 extending at the rear side of the
refrigerating compartment 120, the freezing compartment 160, and
the switching compartment 140. In this embodiment, the
refrigerating compartment 120 is located above the switching
compartment 140, and the freezing compartment 160 is located below
the switching compartment 140. In other embodiments, the various
chambers could have different relative arrangements.
Likewise it will be appreciated that the doors of the freezing
compartment and the refrigerating compartment may be changed
according to the arrangement of the freezing compartment and the
refrigerating compartment. For example, the refrigerator may be a
top-mount type or double-door type refrigerator, or the like.
A first partition 114 is installed between the switching
compartment 140 and the refrigerating compartment 120. The first
partition 114 serves not only to separate the switching compartment
140 and the refrigerating compartment 120 from each other, but also
to prevent the transfer of heat between the switching compartment
140 and the refrigerating compartment 120.
A second partition 116 is installed between the switching
compartment 140 and the freezing compartment 160. The second
partition 116 serves not only to separate the switching compartment
140 and the freezing compartment 160 from each other, but also to
prevent the transfer of heat between the switching compartment 140
and the freezing compartment 160. Although the first and second
partitions 114 and 116 may be made of the same material, the first
and second partitions 114 and 116 could also be made of different
materials.
A first duct 126 is defined between the rear wall 110 of the body
100 and a rear wall 121 of the refrigerating compartment 120. Also,
a second duct 146 is defined between the rear wall 110 of the body
100, a rear wall 161 of the freezing compartment 160, and a rear
wall 141 of the switching compartment 140. The first duct 126 and
the second duct 146 are separated from each other by the first
partition 114.
The first duct 126 incorporates a first evaporator 122 and a first
blowing fan 124, which are used to perform a refrigerating
operation for the refrigerating compartment 120. The second duct
146 incorporates a second evaporator 152 and a second blowing fan
154, which are used to perform a freezing operation for the
freezing compartment 160, or a refrigerating or freezing operation
for the switching compartment 140.
More specifically, the second evaporator 152 and the second blowing
fan 154 are used to cool both the freezing compartment 160 and the
switching compartment 140. The freezing compartment 160 and the
switching compartment 140 can communicate with each other via the
second duct 146.
The second duct 146 may further incorporate a heater 156 to perform
a defrosting operation on the second evaporator 152, or to help
quickly warm the switching compartment. The heater 156 can be
operated to supply heat into the switching compartment 140 when the
switching compartment 140 is switched from a freezing operation to
a refrigerating operation.
The rear wall 121 of the refrigerating compartment 120 is
perforated with at least one discharge hole 125, to allow the first
duct 126 to communicate with an inner space of the refrigerating
compartment 120. Cold air generated from the first evaporator 122
is guided into the refrigerating compartment 120 through the
refrigerating compartment discharge hole 125.
Similarly, the rear wall 161 of the freezing compartment 160 is
perforated with at least one discharge hole 162, and the rear wall
141 of the switching compartment 140 is perforated with at least
one discharge hole 142. Also, the rear wall 141 of the switching
compartment 140 is provided with at least one first damper 143 to
open or close the switching compartment discharge hole(s) 142, and
the rear wall 161 of the freezing compartment 160 is provided with
at least one second damper 163 to open or close the freezing
compartment discharge hole(s) 162.
The first damper 143 serves to selectively supply cold air
generated from the second evaporator 152 and heat generated from
the heater 156 into the switching compartment 140. For example,
when the switching compartment 140 performs a refrigerating
operation, the first damper 143 guides cold air into the switching
compartment 140. On the other hand, when the switching compartment
140 is switched from a freezing operation to a refrigerating
operation, the first damper 143 guides heated air into the
switching compartment 140.
Similarly, the second damper 163 serves to selectively supply cold
air generated in the second duct 146 into the freezing compartment
160. For example, when the switching compartment 140 is switched
from a freezing operation to a refrigerating operation, the second
damper 163 closes the freezing compartment discharge hole 162. This
is because the heater 156 is operated to generate heat in the
second duct 146 while the switching compartment 140 is switched
from a freezing operation to a refrigerating operation.
Meanwhile, the switching compartment 140 incorporates therein a
light source 145, which can be used to help raise the interior
temperature of the switching compartment 140 while preventing a
rapid temperature variation when the switching compartment 140 is
switched from a freezing operation to a refrigerating operation.
The light source 145 is installed in the switching compartment 140,
to irradiate light throughout the inner space of the switching
compartment 140. The light source 145 may be selected from an
incandescent lamp, an infrared lamp, a halogen lamp, etc. The light
source 145 can irradiate light throughout the inner space of the
switching compartment 140 until the interior temperature of the
switching compartment 140 reaches a preset temperature, regardless
of the opening and closing of the switching compartment 140.
For example, when the switching compartment is switched from a
freezing operation to a refrigerating operation, the light source
145 installed in the switching compartment 140 is kept in an
on-state, regardless of the opening and closing of the switching
compartment. Of course, if the interior temperature of the
switching compartment 140 reaches a preset refrigeration-storage
temperature for keeping food in a chilled state, the light source
is turned off, and thereafter only operates when the switching
compartment 140 is opened.
The light source 145 has no special limit in the installation
position thereof. For example, the light source can be installed at
any one of an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface of
the switching compartment 140. Further, some embodiments may
include a first light source used primarily for illumination, and a
second light source used primarily to heat the switching chamber.
In these embodiments, the first and second light sources could be
of different types.
The switching compartment 140 may further incorporate a circulating
fan 147, to circulate air streams in the switching compartment 140.
More specifically, at least one circulating fan can be installed in
the switching compartment 140, and the circulating fan 147 has no
special limit in the installation position thereof so long as it is
installed in the switching compartment 140.
The switching compartment 140 may further incorporate a temperature
sensor 149 to measure the interior temperature of the switching
compartment 140. On the basis of the temperature measured by the
temperature sensor 149, the operation of the heater 156 and the
light source 145 is controlled by a controller (not shown).
Hereinafter, the operating sequence of the refrigerator according
to the present embodiment will be described in brief, on the basis
of the flow of the refrigerant, with reference to FIG. 3.
The refrigerator includes a compressor 170, a condenser 180, a
refrigerant tube 191, a refrigerant control valve 190, expanders,
evaporators, and blowing fans. The compressor 170 serves to
compress a refrigerant, and the condenser 180 serves to lower the
temperature of the compressed refrigerant, thereby condensing the
compressed refrigerant. The refrigerant tube 191 serves as a flow
path to guide the flow of a refrigerant within the
refrigerator.
The refrigerant control valve 190 is installed on the refrigerant
tube 191, and serves to control the flow of the refrigerant so as
to allow a refrigerating operation for the refrigerating
compartment 120 and a freezing operation for the freezing
compartment 160 to be performed simultaneously or selectively. When
two evaporators are connected to a single compressor, a three-way
valve is mainly used as the refrigerant control valve 190.
When the refrigerant control valve 190 guides the refrigerant into
the refrigerating compartment 120, the refrigerant, having passed
through the refrigerant control valve 190, is introduced into a
first expander 123 used to expand the refrigerant, thereby further
lowering its temperature, before the refrigerant is introduced into
the first evaporator 122. Similarly, when the refrigerant control
valve 190 guides the refrigerant into the freezing compartment 160,
the refrigerant is introduced into a second expander 153, which is
used to expand the refrigerant before it is introduced into the
second evaporator 152.
The first blowing fan 124 provided at a side of the first
evaporator 122 acts to assure an efficient heat exchange by the
first evaporator 122, i.e. a heat exchange between the refrigerant
and the surrounding air. Similarly, the second blowing fan 154
provided at a side of the second evaporator 152 acts to facilitate
a heat exchange by the second evaporator 152.
A process of switching from a freezing operation to a refrigerating
operation of the switching compartment will now be described.
First, a freezing operation for the switching compartment is
completed, i.e. the operation of the second evaporator is stopped.
The first damper opens the switching compartment discharge hole and
the second damper closes the freezing compartment discharge hole.
Thereafter, the heater incorporated in the second duct is operated,
to generate heat in the second duct. The first damper guides heated
air into the switching compartment. Simultaneously, any light
source incorporated in the switching compartment is kept in an
on-state. Of course, the light source may be operated regardless of
the operation of the heater. The circulating fan within the
switching compartment is operated to circulate air streams in the
switching compartment.
The temperature sensor continuously measures the interior
temperature of the switching compartment. If the temperature
measured by the temperature sensor reaches a preset temperature,
i.e. a preset refrigeration-storage temperature, the operation of
the heater and the light source is stopped, and the switching
compartment discharge hole is closed by the first damper under
control of the controller.
A second embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.
The refrigerator according to the second embodiment includes a
third evaporator. This allows the freezing chamber and the
switching chamber to each utilize a dedicated, separate
evaporator.
More specifically, a switching compartment duct 246 is defined
between the rear wall 110 of the body 100 and a rear wall 241 of
the switching compartment. The switching compartment duct 246
incorporates a switching compartment evaporator 252, a switching
compartment blowing fan 254, a switching compartment heater 256,
and a switching compartment damper 243. Similar to the above
described embodiment, the switching compartment incorporates
therein the light source 145, the circulating fan 147, and the
temperature sensor 149.
Also, a freezing compartment duct 266 is defined between the rear
wall 110 of the body 100 and a rear wall 261 of the freezing
compartment. The freezing compartment duct 266 incorporates a
freezing compartment evaporator 262. The freezing compartment duct
266 is separated from the switching compartment duct 246, and
consequently, an operation for the freezing compartment can be
performed independently, regardless of an operation for the
switching compartment. This means that the freezing compartment
could be cooled at the same time that the switching compartment is
being heated.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a damper is provided at the
inlet to the switching and freezing chambers. However, because each
chamber has its own evaporator, these dampers may be eliminated in
some embodiments. In yet other embodiments, there may be a damper
in one of the switching and freezing compartments, and one may be
lacking in the other compartment.
Next, a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment will be
described with reference to FIG. 5. Similar to the above described
embodiments, the refrigerator according to this embodiment includes
a freezing compartment 360, and a switching compartment 340.
In this embodiment, a freezing compartment duct 366 is defined
between the rear wall 110 of the body 100 and a rear wall 361 of
the freezing compartment 360. The freezing compartment duct 366
incorporates a freezing compartment evaporator 362 to perform a
freezing operation for the freezing compartment 360, and for the
switching compartment 340. The freezing compartment duct 366 also
incorporates a blowing fan 364 to circulate cold air generated from
the evaporator 362 into the freezing compartment 360, and possibly
also into the switching compartment 340. In some embodiments, a
separate blowing fan 354 will also be provided to blow air into the
switching compartment.
The rear wall 361 of the freezing compartment 360, which is
provided to separate the freezing compartment 360 from the freezing
compartment duct 366, is perforated with at least one discharge
hole 369 to allow the freezing compartment 360 to communicate with
the freezing compartment duct 366. Also, the rear wall 361 of the
freezing compartment 360 is provided with a damper 363 to open or
close the freezing compartment discharge hole 369.
Meanwhile, a switching compartment duct 346 is defined between the
rear wall 110 of the body 100 and a rear wall 341 of the switching
compartment 340. The switching compartment duct 346 is separated
from the freezing compartment duct 366 by a partition 368. The
partition 368 is perforated with a connecting hole 367 to allow the
switching compartment duct 346 to communicate with the freezing
compartment duct 366. Also, the partition 368 is provided with a
duct damper 365 to open or close the connecting hole 367.
The switching compartment duct 346 incorporates a heater 356 to
supply heat into the switching compartment 340. Also, the switching
compartment duct 346 incorporates a blowing fan 354, to supply
heated air generated from the heater 356 into the switching
compartment 340, or to supply cold air generated from the freezing
compartment evaporator 362 into the switching compartment 340. As
noted above, in some embodiments, the blowing fan 354 may be
eliminated.
The rear wall 341 of the switching compartment 340, which is
provided to separate the switching compartment 340 from the
switching compartment duct 346, is perforated with at least one
discharge hole 355 to allow the switching compartment 340 to
communicate with the switching compartment duct 346. Similarly, the
rear wall 341 of the switching compartment 340 may be provided with
a switching compartment damper (not shown), to open or close the
switching compartment discharge hole 355. The switching compartment
340 incorporates the light source 145, the circulating fan 147, and
the temperature sensor 149.
An operation for switching from a freezing operation for both the
freezing compartment and the switching compartment to a
refrigerating operation only for the switching compartment will now
be described. During a freezing operation for both the freezing
compartment 360 and the switching compartment 340, the freezing
compartment damper 363 and the duct damper 365 are opened while the
freezing compartment evaporator 362 is operated. One or both of the
fans 364 and 354 may also be operated. Further, the temperatures in
the switching compartment 340 and freezing compartment 360 can be
controlled by selectively opening and closing the dampers 365 and
363.
When the switching compartment is to be switched over to a
refrigerating operation, the switching compartment duct 346 is
separated from the freezing compartment duct 366 at the connecting
hole 367 by closing the duct damper 365. Thereafter, the heater 356
is operated and the light source 145 is turned on. As a result, the
freezing compartment 360 continuously performs a freezing
operation, whereas the switching compartment 340 heats up to
prepare for a refrigerating operation. The switching compartment
blowing fan 354 operates to blow heated air from the duct 346 into
the switching compartment 340, to allow the heat generated from the
heater 356 to be more efficiently supplied into the switching
compartment 340.
Subsequently, the temperature sensor 149 will detect that the
interior temperature of the switching compartment 340 has reached a
preset refrigeration-storage temperature. If the interior
temperature of the switching compartment 340 reaches the preset
refrigeration-storage temperature, the operation of the heater 356
is stopped.
Thereafter, the temperature of the switching compartment 340 is
adjusted by controlling the duct damper 365. For example, as the
controller adjusts the operation and suspension of the freezing
compartment evaporator 362, the opening time or opening period of
the duct damper 365 is controlled so that the temperature of the
switching compartment 340 can be adjusted.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
Although numerous embodiments have been described, it should be
understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be
devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the
spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More
particularly, variations and modifications are possible in the
component parts and/or arrangements which would fall within the
scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In
addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
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